Istanbul blast: explosion on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul, 4 dead; many injured
An explosion on Istanbul's popular Istiklal Avenue injured 11 people on Sunday, according to Turkish media. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. Shops were closed and roads were also closed.
Abhilasha 
Turkish media reported on Sunday that 11 people were injured in an explosion on Istanbul's popular Istiklal Avenue. In the footage, ambulances, fire engines and police are visible at the scene. The cause of the explosion could not be clarified. Social media users said that shops were closed and roads were also closed.
❗Blast hits central #Istanbul, local media report. pic.twitter.com/s95VcL1BRr — NonMua (@NonMyaan) November 13, 2022
Temporary media ban on reporting blast
The Istanbul government's Ali Yerlikaya tweeted that the explosion occurred at around 4:20 p.m. Turkey's media watchdog has imposed a temporary media ban on reporting of the blast, meaning broadcasters cannot show videos of the moment or the aftermath of the explosion. The Supreme Board of Radio and Television has imposed similar restrictions in the past, following attacks, accidents and some political issues. Flames and loud explosions can be seen in a video posted online. Other footage showed ambulances, fire trucks and police at the scene.
Social media users said that shops were closed and roads were blocked. Broadcaster CNN Turk said in an initial report that 11 people were injured. The avenue is a congested street that is popular with tourists and locals and is surrounded by shops and restaurants. Turkey was hit by deadly bombings between 2015 and 2017 by the Islamic State group and banned Kurdish groups.
